Card-holding device



Nov. 19, 1935. G (:ARLSON 2,021,682

CARD HOLDING DEV'ICE Filed March 30, 1934 g H J7 Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a card-holding device and more particularly to means associated with a card table or card-supporting plate for holding the cards on display and in the desired positions in a breeze or wind. The present application constitutes an improvement upon my co-pending application, Serial No. 684,595, for Card-holding device, allowed December 9, 1933.

An object of the invention is to provide means adapted to receive and adjustably engage the edges of cards, and to maintain them in order on a card table against the force of wind, etc. Another object is to provide interlocking postsupporting plates which may be joined together to give any desired post-combination. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in

Which- Fig. l is a plan view of a series of interlocking plates carrying posts in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a side view in elevation; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a plan view of a modified form of my invention; Fig. 5, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6, a sectional detail View, the section being taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4.

In the illustration given in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, three plates III are provided with interlocking tongues II and recesses l2. The tongue and groove connections permit a large number of blocks or plates Ill to be connected. For example, the central block I0 may be connected on each side with blocks similar to the central block l0, and then the end blocks l 0 secured to the ends of the last-mentioned blocks so as to provide a strip containing five plates or blocks. If desired, all of the plates may be similar to the central block I I]; however, for the purpose of appearance, it isdesired to have blocks like the end blocks H] to finish the ends of the strips. In place of the interlocking tongues and grooves shown, the plates may be provided at their lateral edges with tongue and groove connections. Any other means for releasably securing together the blocks may be employed. It is well obvious that a great number of means may be employed for releasably connecting the plates.

Secured to each of the plates is at least one pin I3, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, about which is placed a resilient cover or sleeve M of rubber or other suitable material. Preferably,

the plate is recessed at l 5 to receive the lower end portion of the resilient cap [4. By employing the recess, it is impossible for the cards to become caught below the rubber cap and the surface of the board. With the device shown, the rubber 5 sleeve, when worn on one side, can be rotated to present a fresh side for engagement with the cards. The pin l3 may be secured to the plate I0 by a rivet or, if desired, by a screw, as shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. 10

The plates or boards I 0 are shown supported by circular pads of felt Hi. If desired, the felt strips may be continuous below the blocks so as to provide an efficient support for all portions thereof.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, a 15 panel I! is provided with three relatively large recesses. [8 in the center of which is fixed a pin by means of an integral screw end [9, the pin having a split upper spring-end 20. About the split spring is a metal support 2| having a bore 22 20 adapted to frictionally receive the split spring 20. The support 2| is provided with an oblong metal shell portion 23 which is encircled by a rubber sleeve 24. The recess I8 is sufficiently large to permit rotation of the sleeve 24 within the recess. 25

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to employ relatively wide cards, the adjacent sleeves 24 may be turned so that their long sides are substantially parallel with the cards. When narrower cards are used, the sleeves may be 30 turned, as shown in Fig. 4, at an angle so that the end portions of the sleeves engage the cards. The split pin 20 provides sufiicient frictional engagement with the metal support H to maintain the sleeves in the positions to which they are adjusted. 35 At the same time, the recess prevents the card edges from slipping under the sleeves.

In the playing of many card games, as for example bridge, one hand is required to hold the players cards and the other hand is needed 40 for playing a card, picking up tricks, etc. It will be observed that little opportunity is thus afforded for a player to manipulate a card-holdthe cards between the posts, is practically effortless, the engagement of opposite edges of the cards maintains a firm grip which anchors the cards firmly to the table. 55

While I have shown one means for adjusting the relative position of the resilient post, it will be understood that many other means may be readily substituted without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In card-holding means, a plurality of post.- supporting plates, interlocking means for securing said plates together, and at least one post secured to each of said plates, said plates, when joined, supporting at least one pair of posts in aoznesz spaced relation adapted to yieldably engage the sides of cards placed therebetween.

2. In card-holding means, a plurality of postsupporting plates, said plates being provided with interlocking means for securing them together, posts carried by the plates and so spaced apart as to yieldably engage the sides of cards placed therebetween.

3. In card-holding means of the character set forth, a plurality of plate-segments, posts secured to said segments, and resilient means carried by said posts, said plate-segments being provided with releasable means for securing said segments together and thereby supporting said posts in spaced relation adapted to yieldably engage the sides of cards placed therebetween.

GUSTAV A. CARLSON. 

